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Aston Martin previews EV conversions with electric 1970 DB6 Volante

If you're a fan of classic British sports cars, and you're concerned about the environment, the future is looking pretty bright. Similar to what Jaguar is preparing for old E-Types, Aston Martin has just announced that it is developing "cassette"-type electric powertrains that it can drop into classic Aston models. By "cassette," the company means that the whole powertrain assembly can be easily bolted into an existing Aston Martin, and just as easily be replaced by the original internal combustion engine if desired. The first car to undergo the electric conversion is a 1970 Aston Martin DB6 Volante, and the prototype powertrain bolts up to the factory engine and transmission mounts. If it weren't for a photo showing it plugged into a charger, it would be impossible to tell that it had an electric motor under the skin. Even the interior looks unchanged. Aston Martin says that a small screen has been added that displays motor and battery management, but we can't find it in the photos. This is a stark contrast to the Jaguar E-Type Zero Concept that featured a modern interpretation of the original interior. Aston Martin didn't reveal any detailed specifications of the powertrain, though. So horsepower and range are complete mysteries at the moment. Aston did note that production examples of this powertrain will use components from the very limited-production Rapide E. That sedan used dual motors for 610 horsepower and 700 pound-feet of torque. Surely the conversion kit will only use one motor for packaging, and since the Rapide E's full power would be unnecessary and deviate far from the original performance and character of the classic car. Also, Aston claimed a range of over 200 miles for the Rapide E, but classic conversions may be less due to space restrictions. Something closer to the E-Type Zero's 170-mile range seems likely, and coupled with DC fast charging, should be more than enough for a car that likely won't be driven as often or as far as a more modern vehicle. Exact timing and availability still have yet to be announced. Aston only said that it plans to start on conversions sometime in 2019. Since Aston plans on delivering Rapide E models toward the end of 2019, the year is shaping up to be a big one for electric Astons. Related Video:

2017 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S coming to US with manual

A few years back, the lovely Aston Martin V12 Vantage was available with an honest-to-goodness six-speed manual transmission. It was capable of instilling serious cognitive dissonance. "If I sell the cars, the furniture, and remortgage the house twice ..." That sort of thing. The package is back, in a sense. For the 2017 model year, Aston will produce the V12 Vantage S with a seven-speed manual transmission. And not the automated manual business supplied by Graziano, that has attracted my ire for being about as subtle as a kick in the pants. There's a human-operated clutch and a proper manual lever. It gets better, at least if you're a manual-transmission geek. Aston fitted a dogleg box to this car, meaning first gear is to the left and down, below reverse and where second gear would sit in a traditional H-pattern floor shifter. Less traditional is the throttle-blipping function, which will make downshifts smoother for those unable or unwilling to heel-toe. If AMSHIFT, which is Graydon's code-word for the system, is not your thing it can be disabled or used in any driving mode. More good news: there's no real penalty for choosing the manual over the Sportshift III transmission. The two cars are mechanically the same, offer the same performance metrics and top speed, and are offered at the same basic price. New for 2017 but not exclusive to the manual are many exterior and interior cosmetic options, like brightly-colored exterior accents, in line with Aston's recent styling trends. As the subtitle suggests, there is a serious catch for Americans. It's not that we won't get the V12-manual combination – we will! – it's just that there won't be very many of them. It'll be a no-cost option in the rest of the world. If you want one, let's hope you've stopped reading this article the first few lines and hopped on the phone with your local Aston dealer to get a place on what looks like a very short list. Related Video:

Aston Martin considers building DBX in Macedonia

To build the new DBX crossover, Aston Martin is preparing to expand production outside of its home in Warwickshire. It just hasn't decided where the new plant will be. But while it has narrowed its search to just a few locations, one site that was previously discounted is now reportedly back in the running: Macedonia. The former Yugoslavian republic to the north of Greece has been soliciting car companies for manufacturing projects for years. And though it doesn't currently have any final assembly plants, it does have numerous component suppliers located within its borders. According to Automotive News, the Balkan country boasts relatively low wages and an educated workforce – a hard mix to come by. Perhaps best known as the birthplace of Alexander the Great, Macedonia was initially short-listed among 18 other locations as a potential site for the new Aston plant. The British automaker initially ruled it out as it whittled its list down, but Reuters reports that the country has since come back with a more attractive proposal with greater incentives from the government, putting it back in the running. Other locations under consideration include two locations in the UK, one in the Middle East, and one here in America. The Alabama site would be conveniently located near the plant in Tuscaloosa where Mercedes builds many of its crossovers, which could be a huge advantage – especially if the DBX borrows some of its underpinnings from Daimler. The last Aston Martin built off-site was the Rapide, which was previously manufactured by Magna Steyr in Austria until 2012 when Aston moved production in-house to Gaydon. The Cygnet was also manufactured by Toyota in Japan alongside the Scion iQ on which it was closely based, but the finishing touches were put on by Aston in Gaydon until the model was discontinued. Other European automakers also operate plants in the region. The Volkswagen Group and Peugeot SA manufacture in Slovakia. Renault and Smart build their city cars in Slovenia. Mercedes and Audi run assembly plants in Hungary. And Fiat builds in Serbia and in nearby northeastern Turkey, where Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, and Renault also have plants. News Source: ReutersImage Credit: Aston Martin Plants/Manufacturing Aston Martin Crossover Luxury Performance aston martin dbx macedonia